moonlight

1 of 2

noun

moon·​light ˈmün-ˌlīt 

: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 2

verb

moonlighted; moonlighting

intransitive verb

: to hold a second job in addition to a regular one

moonlighter noun

Examples of moonlight in a Sentence

Noun

A figure appeared in the moonlight.

Verb

She is a secretary who moonlights as a waitress on weekends.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some businesses don’t allow truck parking during the day but moonlight as a parking area after hours to make money off the truckers, 78% of whom aren’t reimbursed for their parking costs. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026

Basking in the moonlight and visualizing his success apparently worked, because Kelce has become one of the greatest players in NFL history. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026

Verb

Compass now oversaw security at a local college, and moonlighted as an investigator for personal-injury attorneys. —Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

Drafted 53rd in 2021, Bassey hasn’t stuck on an NBA roster, moonlighting for the 76ers, Grizzlies, Celtics and San Antonio Spurs. —Sam Gordon, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from moonlighter

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1957, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing moonlight

• do a moonlight flit

Rhymes for moonlight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

moonlight

1 of 2 noun

moon·​light -ˌlīt 

: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 2 verb

: to work at a second job in addition to a regular one

moonlighter noun